First off, I want everyone to know I’m definitely running for reelection. There seems to be an individual or a group out there that keeps the rumor mill running that I’m not seeking reelection. Not sure what their motive is for doing this. So, you are hearing it from me, I’m running.

For me, one of the most difficult parts of working in the legislature stems from being self-employed from the time I started farming with my father in 1984. When you are in charge of the money, repairs, and keeping things running, you simply use your best judgment to fix and take care of your business. Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the wrong decision, but you learn from your mistakes. Often when things are broken in the state government, it takes a long time to fix them, and it seems like we do not learn from our mistakes. The thing that helps me best is to always remember I’m spending your money. It is always important to me to do what is best for you and your family.

AEA Bill

• Our students with disabilities deserve the very best. For that reason, it is worth an honest assessment of how we are doing at providing education to those students and be open to ways we can do better.

• Despite Iowa spending over $5,300 more per pupil on special education funding than the national average, we’ve ranked 30th or worse in nine of the 12 national assessments on special education performance.

• The U.S. Department of Education has categorized Iowa as “Needs Assistance” in providing quality education to students with disabilities, with risk of falling to “Needs Intervention” next year.

• Just because we have always done something one way, doesn’t mean it is the best way to do something. I think we can all agree on that basic principle.

• It’s worth noting Iowa is the only state to require school districts to send money straight to the AEAs whether they are utilizing their services or not.

• This system, where the money is automatic, and the AEAs handle oversight of their own services, leaves very little room for accountability.

• Again, I hear each and every one of you have reached out to share the importance of the AEAs. And I have no intention of voting for a proposal that would leave school districts high and dry without the essential services currently being provided by AEAs.

• We will continue to work on this bill to determine how best to improve special education outcomes.

Last week we passed House Resolution 101: Iowa’s Support for Israel

• On Thursday, the Iowa House passed a resolution to affirm the State of Iowa’s support for Israel.

The resolution also condemned the brutal attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023, that resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 Israelis.

• The resolution took a strong stand against the terrorist group Hamas, and the support and funding they received from Iran.

• With this resolution, the Iowa House confirmed its unwavering support for the State of Israel and its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens and pursue the elimination of Hamas and any other affiliated terrorist groups.

One more thing for parents to worry about!

According to a survey released by Gallup on Oct. 13, 2023, the average U.S. teen uses social media 4.8 hours per day. Girls use social media roughly one hour more than boys per day. Teens favorite platforms are YouTube and TikTok, with Instagram a distant third in popularity.

According to Gallup, “Amid declining teen mental health, many scholars such as social psychologist Jonathan Haidt have carefully investigated the role of social media, given the explosion in time spent using such applications. Studies have pointed out how technology companies manipulate users into spending more time on the apps through their designs.”

Jonathan Rothwell, principal economist at Gallup who authored the research released last fall, lists the five things parents and teachers should know about the impact of social media on youth mental health.

• There’s a direct link between parent involvement and teens’ social media use and mental health.

• Video-centered social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube may pose a bigger threat to teens’ mental health than other social media apps.

• Even with involved parents, teen body image issues persist.

• Reducing the quantity of time spent on social media versus the quality of time may be more beneficial.

• Parents and educators have the opportunity to foster a healthier relationship between teens and their social media use.

Mental health isn’t the only concern. The proliferation of cell phone use during school also impacts learning. A 2016 study by researchers Louis-Phillipe Beland and Richard Murphy studied the effect of banning cell phones during the school day on students in several large English cities. The research showed that test scores improved significantly after the bans. Beland and Murphy argued that the lack of constant distraction allowed students to focus on their work.

State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, represents Calhoun, Humboldt, and Pocahontas counties plus western Webster County.